Accompanying His Majesty at the ceremony were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel.

The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

His Majesty then watched a video presentation on the concept of the Temburong bridge which showcased the design of the bridge once the construction is completed.

Later His Majesty proceeded to officiate the foundation laying ceremony of the Temburong bridge, accompanied by the call of the Takbir led by the State Mufti.

His Majesty then signed a commemorative plaque of the Temburong bridge.

To bless the ceremony, a Doa Selamat was recited by the State Mufti.

Soon after the Doa Selamat, His Majesty heard a briefing on the progress of the landmark construction project from Eddie bin Dato Paduka Haji Sunny, Permanent Secretary (Technical & Professional) at the Ministry of Development, as Chairman of Technical Working Committee for the Temburong Bridge.

His Majesty then proceeded to view the exhibition where a briefing on the construction of the Temburong bridge as a whole was given by Haji Marzuke bin Haji Mohsin, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Development.

After the briefing, His Majesty received a pesambah from the National Committee for the Temburong Bridge, presented by Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance II, as Chairman of the National Committee of the Temburong Bridge.

While viewing the exhibition, His Majesty was also briefed on the contract packages for the construction of the Temburong bridge by Haji Amer Hishamuddin bin Pehin Orang Kaya Amar Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Zakaria, Acting Deputy Director-General of the Public Works Department, Ministry of Development followed by briefings by the managements of the Daelim Industrial Co Ltd-Swee Sdn Bhd Joint Venture and the China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited-Ocean Quarry & Construction Sdn Bhd Joint Venture.

His Majesty was also introduced to some of the locals who were currently working with these companies.

A total of 33 locals are now employed by Daelim Industrial Co Ltd, while 20 locals are employed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited.

His Majesty then proceeded to view Lego models of the Temburong bridge while hearing a briefing by Yee Kok On, Director of Department of Roads, Public Works Department.

His Majesty later signed a Commemorative Parchment, and joined a group photo session with members of the National Committee and Project Management of the Temburong bridge project.

Prior to departure, His Majesty attended a luncheon.

The Temburong bridge, which will link Jalan Utama Mentiri in Brunei-Muara District and Jalan Labu Estate in Temburong District, traversing the Brunei Bay, is one of the largest public infrastructure projects ever carried out in this country.

The construction of the Temburong bridge reflects His Majesty’s concern for the welfare of the citizens and residents of the country.

The construction will be carried out in several phases or packages and is expected to be completed in 2019.

The construction will take place over a five-contract package, or phases, to include work on a two 13.4km marine viaducts, a 1.1km cable-stay navigation bridge, the 11.8km Temburong viaduct, the installation of systems encompassing traffic control and surveillance, supervisory control and data acquisition and road lighting as well as the power supply system to provide high-voltage electricity to power the entire bridge.

In tune with Brunei’s Malay Islamic Monarchy philosophy, the bridge, which overlooks the Brunei Bay to one side and the water village on the other, will also feature several stars placed within crescent moons set atop towers, or pylons, that will also carry the three ‘Kalimah’ of ‘Subhanallah’, ‘Alhamdulillah’, and ‘Allahu Akbar’, with each signature tower dedicated to the country’s four districts.

In a New Year titah, the monarch had said the bridge would provide socio-economic opportunities for Bruneians, with tourism among several markets that can be expanded as per the country’s plans for financial diversity.

The contracts were awarded to two local contractors in partnership with two international companies with a total of 53 locals employed.

The average duration of each phase is approximately 39 months until the first quarter of 2019.

DESPITE first making its appearance in the Sultanate during the 1940s, Kuih Mor continues to be a household favourite today as a tea time snack or festive treat particularly during Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

Siti Norhafizah Hj Bagol, a final year student at Universiti Brunei Darussalam who researched on Kuih Mor as part of her Brunei Traditional Industry module, said the three-ingredient sweet treat may have existed in Brunei as early as the 1940s when padi was known to have been grown to make different food items.

Over time, the cookie has also become a popular door-gift choice often handed out at Malay weddings or gatherings, said Siti Norhafizah.

Made with flour, oil and granulated sugar which have been ground into a powder, the bite-sized biscuits have a crumbly texture and are coated with powdered sugar.

The age-old technique of making Kuih Mor by hand has however changed over the course of time, with many now opt…

BY COMMAND of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Prime Minister’s Office hereby announces that His Majesty has consented to the transfer and appointment of the following senior officers – Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid, Permanent Secretary (Law and Welfare) at the Prime Minister’s Office as well as the Director of Anti-Corruption Bureau and Solicitor General has been transferred to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; and Datin Elinda binti Haji CA Mohamed, Special Senior Duties Officer, Ministry of Home Affairs has been appointed as Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office and Director of Anti-Corruption Bureau.